What can anybody tell me about the set up in Saudi Arabia? My understanding is that the whole Saudi royal family runs the government and industry (that being oil fields). Correct me if I am wrong, but is the ruler of Saudi Arabia literally a vegetable, didn&#39;t he have a stroke. I am not sure of his name or anybody&#39;s. I have noticed that we have not really discussed the Saudis. I did not know if the reason was because there was little know about them (the current members) or if the reason was they are so closed off from the outside world. However, I know their oil is internationally know, especially to us Americans.

Also, I know that this question is off topic but I would love anyone&#39;s opinion on this question: Are there any colleges or university in the United States that have graduate or even undergraduate courses in Islamic studies that are any good? I would love after finishing my current undergraduate degree to go back to school to learn all I can about the Middle East, Sub-Sahara Africa, and the Gulf Arab states.

Yes, Fahd is in a vegatative state. Crown Prince Abdullah is running the show. However, sources in Saudi Arabia say that there is a power stuggle within the family mainly between Abdullah and Prince Naif the Interior Minister.
Whatever the situation, something needs to happen because if these fundamentalists(takfiris) take over, they will make the Iranian mullahs and Taliban look like choir boys. Saudi Arabia is in BIG TROUBLE and nobody in the U.S. govt. wants to really admit it.

How are women viewed in Saudi Arabia? I was suprised to see Prince al Waleed bin Talal&#39;s daughter unveiled is it common for women to not wear..... what are they called? (Please excuse me ignorance.) I was always informed by those who had gone to Saudi Arabia that women were to be covered at all times in Saudi Arabia because they strict fundementalist. I am not sure if my sources are correct on this, but please, correct me if I am wrong?

The House of Saud
Oil, God & Gold (Corporate History of Saudi Aramco)
then there is a new one about the Bushs and the Sauds.

I doubt you are going to get much information about them. My friends who lived in Saudi refused to even say their names in public. And the royals were NEVER seen in public unlike many other Gulf countries.

The Economist magazine regularly covers the Gulf region.

And I think you are seeing the Prince&#39;s daughter unveiled because she is receiving her university degree from what looks like a western university. If you ever travel to the gulf you will notice that upon boarding the plane it is full of women in abayas and shailas but upon landing in Paris or London or whatever the ladies have mysteriously transformed into very fashionable women (sans abaya and shaila).

I cover my head and my face ( so what ??? ) I believe that very personal thing
the princess reem or the queen Rania or any princess or ordinary girl can choose do what they believe
( they old enough to follow what they believe in )

silver charm you know if I go to Paris or London I will still cover my head and my face because that mean of freedom
and what you mean by say (transformed into very fashionable women (sans abaya and shaila).

are you mean when I covered I&#39;m not fashionable women &#33;&#33;&#33; :(

Originally posted by houri@Jun 13th, 2004 - 3:01 pm I cover my head and my face ( so what ??? ) I believe that very personal thing
the princess reem or the queen Rania or any princess or ordinary girl can choose do what they believe
( they old enough to follow what they believe in )

silver charm you know if I go to Paris or London I will still cover my head and my face because that mean of freedom
and what you mean by say (transformed into very fashionable women (sans abaya and shaila).

are you mean when I covered I&#39;m not fashionable women &#33;&#33;&#33; :(

i was using fashionable as a polite to say &#39;let it all hang out&#39;.

i find it very distrubing myself the hypocrisy of a woman must be covered in one country and then not in another. i agree-its a personal choice. so let the lady choose where and when she feels like it.

The House of Saud
Oil, God & Gold (Corporate History of Saudi Aramco)
then there is a new one about the Bushs and the Sauds.

I doubt you are going to get much information about them. My friends who lived in Saudi refused to even say their names in public. And the royals were NEVER seen in public unlike many other Gulf countries.

The Economist magazine regularly covers the Gulf region.

And I think you are seeing the Prince&#39;s daughter unveiled because she is receiving her university degree from what looks like a western university. If you ever travel to the gulf you will notice that upon boarding the plane it is full of women in abayas and shailas but upon landing in Paris or London or whatever the ladies have mysteriously transformed into very fashionable women (sans abaya and shaila).

Dear silver charm,

in an arab country, specifically the gulf, you will feel much better, wearing at least the abaya. Especially if u are recognized as an mideast women, there is much more pressure on you in terms, how you behave in public etc. Just imagine all the looks u&#39;ll get, while you show off too much (which means even a small detail, while in europe and the rest of the world nobody cares about)&#33; So wearing Abaya and sheyla you indulge in total freedom..

The House of Saud
Oil, God & Gold (Corporate History of Saudi Aramco)
then there is a new one about the Bushs and the Sauds.

I doubt you are going to get much information about them. My friends who lived in Saudi refused to even say their names in public. And the royals were NEVER seen in public unlike many other Gulf countries.

The Economist magazine regularly covers the Gulf region.

And I think you are seeing the Prince&#39;s daughter unveiled because she is receiving her university degree from what looks like a western university. If you ever travel to the gulf you will notice that upon boarding the plane it is full of women in abayas and shailas but upon landing in Paris or London or whatever the ladies have mysteriously transformed into very fashionable women (sans abaya and shaila).

Dear silver charm,

in an arab country, specifically the gulf, you will feel much better, wearing at least the abaya. Especially if u are recognized as an mideast women, there is much more pressure on you in terms, how you behave in public etc. Just imagine all the looks u&#39;ll get, while you show off too much (which means even a small detail, while in europe and the rest of the world nobody cares about)&#33; So wearing Abaya and sheyla you indulge in total freedom..

And beside this... There are fantastic designs for Abaya combo&#39;s.

I love the silk covering my body.

Regards [/b][/quote]
Definately, there are some wonderful designs for Abayas. But definately it should be a personal choice but like most things that are personal, a woman&#39;s family and society has a lot more to say than the woman, herself. And it doesn&#39;t matter if she is from the west or mid-east or outer space.

I was always shocked by the lady&#39;s who wore abaya and shailas but made sure to &#39;arrange&#39; eveyrthing so cleavage, midriff and legs are clearly visible to everyone who dares a look. Also many men I talked to thought the abaya and shaila was very attractive. They always used the terms &#39;unwrapping a present&#39;.